Christchurch City Council is rebuilding the earthquake-damaged South Library and Customer Service Hub building, Te Kete Wānanga o wai Mōkihi, in Beckenham. Ōmōkihi is scheduled to open in December 2026.
Read the project page and sign up to the Ōmōkihi project newsletter
Ōmōkihi photos
Take a look at the construction of Ōmōkihi
About Ōmōkihi
The South Library and Customer Service Hub building was badly damaged in the 2010/2011 earthquakes.
Councillors have supported a recommendation from the Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board and decided on a full rebuild instead of a repair.
The design is based on the same floor area as the current facility, and provides for the same services – library, customer services, learning centre, café, governance spaces and meeting rooms. View the developed design drawings [PDF, 25 MB]
The layout of the facility is updated with improvements to how the space can be used and to provide more flexibility for future use. The design carefully considers the building’s energy efficiency and the total carbon impact of the project over the life cycle of the building. The design allows for solar panels and EV charging to be included in the future.
The Council has $32 million of funding put aside for Ōmōkihi, as confirmed in the Long Term Plan 2024–2034 process. Ngāi Tūāhuriri has gifted the name Ōmōkihi.
The Council has opened two new pop-up facilities to serve the local community during the rebuild. The temporary library, South Colombo, is open at The Colombo shopping centre. The temporary Customer Service Hub is open at Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre.
We also have our South Mobile library van servicing various handy locations in the area. That includes local schools, community hubs, Princess Margaret Hospital, the Cashmere Club and She Chocolaterie.
We've also extended the hours at the nearby Spreydon Library.
Ōmōkihi timeline
February 2026: Site Manager Update
In Part A, first fix is now near complete and the roof is almost finished, sitting at 99%. Exterior cladding is also well underway, giving the building an increasingly finished look. Civil drainage remains on track to be completed by the end of February, with landscaping works due to commence towards the end of the month.
Over in Part B, the team has started installing mechanical units, and a soft start on first fix is now underway, marking the next stage of progress for this area of the project.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on completing drainage and starting landscaping works, while internal services and first fix activities continue to progress across both areas of the site.
Paul, Cook Brothers
Friday 13 February 2026: Cafe for Lease
Looking for a unique opportunity to operate a café within a brand-new community facility? Christchurch City Council is seeking public tenders to lease and operate a café located within Ōmōkihi – the new library and customer service centre in south Christchurch.
The Council is looking for a service provider that will enhance the customer experience of the facility as a whole.
Your high-quality products and commitment to excellent customer service will make your café a destination in its own right. Your customers will include visitors to the facility, Ōmōkihi staff members, the local community and passing foot traffic – the Council estimates at least 250,000 people will visit the facility each year.
The space available for lease consists of a prep kitchen and café located on the east side of the building, with direct access from the outdoor seating decked area on to the landscaped lawns leading down to the river. The lease area includes both indoor and outdoor customer seating spaces.
Find the full details and submit a proposal via GETS: GETS | Christchurch City Council - Ōmōkihi Cafe Lease
Close Date: 12noon, Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Friday 19 December 2025
Check out the Ōmōkihi end-of-year update
Monday 18 August 2025: First concrete pour
Cook Brothers Construction has completed the first concrete pour on Ōmōkihi, using more than 300 cubic metres of concrete, which comes to 52 truckloads.
Read Foundation laid as Ōmōkihi takes shape on Newsline.
Tuesday 15 April 2025: Rebuild to begin
Contractor appointed and demolition begins.
Cook Brothers Construction has been appointed the main contractor to carry out the construction of Ōmōkihi. They'll spend the first few weeks stripping out the interiors of the existing building at 66 Colombo Street, then move on to the full demolition.
Read Ōmokihi South Library and Customer Service Hub rebuild to begin on Newsline
Monday 13 January 2025: New library and service hub popping up soon in South
The temporary library, South Colombo, is opening at The Colombo shopping centre on Monday 24 February 2025. The temporary Customer Service Hub is opening at Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre on Monday 10 February.
Read New library and service hub popping up soon in South on Newsline
13 February 2024: The new South Library has been gifted a name - Ōmōkihi – connecting the building back to its riverside site
The name has been given to Christchurch City Council by Ngāi Tūāhuriri and is consistent with the traditional practice of whakahaumanu te papatupu | restoring the customary title to the land beneath the building. Read more: Connecting South Library back to its history Newsline, 13 February 2024
28 September 2023: Rebuild recommended
The Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board recommends a rebuild of the South Library building and endorses the concept design. Read Decision on the future of South Library on Newsline.
30 May 2023: Concept design released for feedback
The concept design is released for public feedback. Read First look at the concept design for a new South Library and Service Centre on Newsline.
January 2023: Lead designer appointed
Ignite Architecture appointed as the lead designer.
1 June 2022: Rebuild investigated
The Council’s Sustainability and Community Resilience Committee has agreed that it makes more sense to build a new facility than to repair the existing building. Read Concept plans to be drawn up for new South Library and Service Centre on Newsline.